Patent Application
20240342621
The present invention relates to a balloon with a modified stem. More specifically, the present invention provides a balloon with a stem that is modified to release air from a desired direction while deflating, thus allowing for the balloon to hover, lift, or rotate.
Balloons are and have been an enjoyable novelty for people of all ages. Whether the balloons are used as decorations for a party or are used as a toy by children, there are innumerable uses for balloons. Despite existing for centuries, there has been relatively little change in the design of novelty balloons. The vast majority of novelty balloons comprise stems that laterally extend from the inflatable body of the balloon, such as to enable the quick and efficient release of air from the inflatable body. However, when air is released from the balloon, the air is released in an uncontrolled, random process. This means that if the user releases the balloon while it is deflating, the balloon will shoot off in a random direction. Therefore, there is a defined need amongst existing novelty balloons for a balloon with a modified stem that allows for a controlled release of air.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of novelty balloons now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a balloon with a modified stem wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when controlling the release of air from a novelty balloon.
The present system comprises a body. The body comprises an interior volume. The interior volume of the body is accessible via a stem. The stem extends outward from the body. The body is expandable, such as to expand when inflated with air or some other gas. the stem defining a bend therein. The bend is configured to define an angle at which air is released from the body.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the balloon with modified stem. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The stem 13 extends outward from the body 11. The stem 13 is configured to be used to inflate the body 11. As such, the body 11 is expandable in area when air, or some other gas, is pushed through the stem into the body 11. For example, the body 11 may be inflated by the user blowing air from his or her lungs into the body 11 through the stem 13 or the stem 13 may be secured to a gas tank, such as a helium tank. The stem 13 defines an opening 14 on the distal end of the stem. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem 13 is tubular and extends laterally outward from the body 11. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the stem 13 defines a circular opening 14.
Additionally, the stem 13 comprises a bend 15 disposed in between the opening 14 and the connection point between the stem 13 and the body 11. The bend 14 is configured to control the direction at which air will be released from the body 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem 13 defines a bend 14 that is oriented at a 90 degree angle, relative to the body 11. As such, air will be expelled from the stem 13 at a 90 degree angle relative to the body 11, enabling rotation of the body 11. In such a manner, the stem 13 acts as a wing due to the rotation and lift created by the release of air through the stem 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem 13 comprises a tie 16 thereon. The tie 16 is configured to assist the user in tying the stem 13 closed, such as to define a fixed amount of air, or some other gas, in the body 11.
Referring now to
When deflating the balloon 10, air that is stored in the body 11 will be pushed out of the interior volume 12 as the walls of the body 11 contract. This contraction will push the air into the stem 13. As the air is pushed into the stem, it is routed through the bend 14 towards the opening 15. Thus, as air exits the opening 15 at the angle at which the bend 14 orients it, the force applied to the balloon 10 by the expelled air will be in the direction the opening 15 is pointed by the bend 14 of the stem 13.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
